Of course, there are plenty of ways to end an email. You might end up falling into the trap of using the same one again and again, which gets quite boring after a while.
So, what can you say instead of “best regards” in an email? This article will look at your options to see what’s available.
Is “Best Regards” a Good Closing?
“Best regards” is a good closing, and it works well to sign off an email. It is formal and suitable in most written cases. You will often find that it is a good way to close an email.
Generally, “best regards” appears in professional emails. It shows that you’re offering your kind wishes to someone to politely end an email.
Pros
- It’s polite and acceptable in emails.
- It’s good as a more formal closer.
Cons
- It’s fairly generic.
- There are more common phrases to close an email.
“Best regards” is certainly one of the better formal choices to close an email. With that said, it’s still wise to have a few synonyms ready to keep things interesting.
Keep reading to learn another way to say “best regards.” We’ve also provided examples for each one to help you.
What to Say Instead of “Best Regards”
- Kind regards
- Yours
- Regards
- All the best
- Best wishes
- My best
- Sincerely
- See you soon
- Thank you
- Cheers
1. Kind Regards
One of the most common closers to include in a formal letter or email is “kind regards.” It’s a great replacement for “best regards” in most situations.
We highly recommend it when emailing your boss. It shows you’re keen to discuss matters with them and want to maintain a professional and polite tone in your email.
Why not refer to this email example:
Dear Katherine,
I would like to set up a meeting to discuss things further. Please tell me when works best.
Kind regards,
Howard Hoffman
2. Yours
“Yours” is quite a popular alternative to “best regards” as a letter closer. We highly recommend it when signing your name at the end of a letter.
It works best when you know the recipient well enough to use their name in the greeting.
Generally, this is a good one when writing a letter to a client. It shows you value their input and want to be polite in the way you close your correspondence.
Here’s an email sample to show you how it works:
Dear Aimee,
Thank you for reaching out and discussing this. I’m certainly glad that you could be so honest.
Yours,
Roger Amber
3. Regards
You can remove “best” entirely from the original phrase. Instead, stick with “regards” when closing a formal email. It shows you have finished everything you need to say.
Generally, “regards” is impersonal. Some also consider it as rude if you’re not careful. So, you should only use it in situations when you’re not very familiar with the recipient (or when you don’t care if they don’t appreciate your tone).
Check out the following example:
Dear Hannah,
It is in your best interest to work alongside them on this. You need to oversee the project to get the best results.
Regards,
Mr. Federal
4. All the Best
It’s also worth using “all the best” as a formal alternative to “best regards.” It’s quite a good option in formal and informal emails.
Many people like using it as an email closer when wishing someone well after finishing their email.
You’ll have a lot of luck using this one in many situations. So, it’s worth throwing it in at the end of emails when you want to sound friendly. You can’t go wrong with it, regardless of the email recipient.
Also, this example should help you understand more:
Dear Scott,
I’m not sure where we’re supposed to go next. We should discuss this with Mr. Rose before the end of the day.
All the best,
Joseph Margarine
5. Best Wishes
Let’s move to a slightly more conversational closer for a second. “Best wishes” is a great email closing phrase in most friendly situations.
It also works well in formal emails, but only when you’re fond of the recipient.
For instance, you can write “best wishes” in an email to a professor. It shows you like them and appreciate their input into your work. Most professors will prefer a more friendly closing statement like “best wishes” over the more professional “best regards.”
Here’s a great example if you’re still unsure:
Dear Professor Kang,
Thank you for confirming that for me. I will certainly let you know when I have completed the assignment.
Best wishes,
Andy Lang
6. My Best
Another great phrase using “best” is “my best.” It’s a polite and friendly alternative to “best regards” that keeps things interesting between your emails.
However, it’s quite informal. You won’t have much luck using it when emailing your boss or new work clients. Instead, stick to using it when emailing colleagues. It’s a great way to offer your best wishes in a freer environment.
This email example will also help you make sense of it:
Hi Audrey,
Please let me know when you have more information. I would like to be kept in the loop.
My best,
George Tayler
7. Sincerely
We always recommend using “sincerely” as an email or letter closer. It’s a great synonym for “best regards” when you know the recipient’s name.
Of course, “sincerely” has rules behind it. You can only use it when you know the recipient and use their name. For example, this example is correct:
Dear Daniel,
…
Sincerely,
Craig
Here, “sincerely” is appropriate because you know the recipient’s name. It’s formal and polite.
However, this is incorrect:
To Whom It May Concern,
…
Sincerely,
Barry
You cannot use “sincerely” here because you are not addressing the recipient by name.
We recommend reviewing this example to see how to use it:
Dear Henrietta,
Thank you so much for your kind words. We need to iron out a few kinks before we can continue, though.
Sincerely,
Freya Howard
8. See You Soon
There’s nothing wrong with using a slightly more informal closer. “Best regards” does the job well, but “see you soon” is a great alternative that keeps things light and friendly in your emails.
However, you should only use it when you have plans with the recipient. It suggests that you will physically meet someone soon.
If you do not plan on “seeing them soon,” then there isn’t much point in using this phrase.
Check out this email sample as well:
Hi Michael,
Let us discuss this more over a coffee on Tuesday. I think that will help us understand our situation better.
See you soon,
Louise Day
9. Thank You
We value politeness and respect here. That’s why “thank you” is such an important phrase to include at the end of an email.
It’s a great way to share appreciation with the recipient for reading your email.
Generally, “thank you” works as an email closer when requesting something in an email. It shows that you appreciate someone taking the time to hear your request (even if they won’t do anything to help you with it).
Here’s a great sample email to show you how it works:
Hi Olivia,
I really appreciate your taking the time to contact me. We can now continue working on this together.
Thank you so much,
Stephen Spielen
10. Cheers
“Cheers” is an informal synonym for “thank you.” Therefore, it’s a great replacement for “best regards” when emailing friends.
It shows that you have a good working relationship with the email recipient. Generally, this only applies when contacting colleagues or people you’ve known for a long time.
Unfortunately, phrases like “cheers” don’t do well in really formal instances. You should avoid using it when emailing your boss to ensure you use appropriate language.
This email example will also help you understand more about it:
Hi Barry,
I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do now. Of course, I’d like to continue working on this project with you.
Cheers,
Russell Tame